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As part of its newly released Catholic Identity College Guide 2014, the National Catholic Register features a story entitled , touting the importance of the liberal arts in Catholic education. 淲hile scores of colleges are expanding their curricula by narrowing specialties and fields of study, writes author Joseph Pronechen, 渟ome top Catholic colleges are keeping liberal arts alive and well.

National Catholic Register

Mr. Pronechen quotes the presidents of three Catholic colleges, including 91快活林 Aquinas College檚 own Dr. Michael F. McLean, about the role of the liberal arts at their respective schools. 淲e use the term 榣iberal education from the Latin word liber, meaning 榝ree, so this is an education ordered to freedom, says Dr. McLean. 淥ur Lord said, 業 am the Way, the Truth and the Life, and 楾he truth will make you free, so there is a connection between Catholic liberal education and truth. Truth is embodied in Jesus Christ, so the education here is really Christ-centered and God-centered.

Mr. Pronechen explains that because 91快活林 Aquinas College檚 students 渁re actively engaged in classes that are conducted as conversations and discussions they acquire analytical and conversational skills traits employers look for in employees. Moreover, the College檚 curriculum and spiritual life help to nurture students vocations. 淭he large number of religious vocations to come of out of this college is another benefit of liberal arts education, writes Mr. Pronechen, citing Dr. McLean檚 observation that roughly 11 percent of the College檚 graduates enter the priesthood or religious life. 淭hose who marry, the author notes, 渉ave family lives centered on Christ, and they bring their strong Catholic faith to their work.

Adds Dr. McLean, 淭hat is the heart of the New Evangelization, and the way the Church is going to evangelize the world: sending deeply committed Catholics into the secular world to remake that world in the image of Christ.

The full story, including more quotations from Dr. McLean, is available both on the National Catholic Register檚 and in its (PDF).